Family of 'person of interest' in Toyah Cordingley murder deny any involvement
The family of an Indian nurse reportedly identified as a key person of interest in Toyah Cordingley’s murder in north Queensland has denied he is involved.
News Corp reported the male nurse left Australia the day after her body was discovered on Wangetti Beach near Cairns on October 22 after visiting the area to walk her dog.
Witnesses say they saw the man, who speaks Hindi and Punjabi, with visible scratch and bite marks, and behaving suspiciously on his return to his Innisfail home after a trip to Cairns, almost 100km away.
The man’s family are defending him, saying he’s not capable of murder.
His brother-in-law told the Courier Mail he was “too quiet and too afraid”, although admitted he was troubled before he left for India.
The brother-in-law claimed the man would spend extended periods of time at secluded beaches because he was troubled by his work.
The Innisfail home was raided by police and the family said they were yet to see any proof he was involved in the horrific crime.
Police however say there is potential forensic evidence linking him to the beach.
Queensland Police are working with the Australian Federal Police and it is understood the Indian authorities are not involved at this stage.
There is an extradition treaty between India and Australia but it is notoriously difficult to get suspects back to Australia.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman on Monday would not confirm police are investigating a person on interest.
